The religion of Islam has moved to the forefront since the terrorists' attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

In an unprecedented scramble just about everyone, including President Bush, with some access to a mass media outlet was stressing that the terrorists' religion was not truly Islamic but rather a very fanatical lunatic fringe element which was guilty of "hijacking" Islam! With vocal cords of media personalities operating in high speed overdrive mode we were constantly informed that Islam is a peaceful religion and its followers seek peace in all relationships.

High profile exposure was given to "reaching out" and "dialog" experiences. The president's photo op sessions included gatherings with Muslim clerics and reading moments with Muslim children -- a publicity campaign designed to convince even the skeptics that Islam is indeed a "peaceful" religion.

Numerous elements of Christianity reached out to invite Muslims to come to special gatherings in churches for purposes of dialog and discussion so that Christians might be better informed regarding the faith of Islam. Christian clergy met with Islamic clerics and chatted with the intent of better understanding and respect of each other's faith. After all, don't we really serve the same God and aren't we really striving for the same thing? And don't we hope for a similar eternal destiny?

So what's wrong with this picture? For a large number, including El Presidente, absolutely nothing is wrong with it! For these, it is a good thing that we get together and come to a mutual understanding and respect for each other, thereby making for a peaceful and harmonious relationship!

What we have been witnessing is the making of an unholy marriage -- a live and let live agreement -- a shared view that each has a legitimate claim in matters of divinely revealed prepositional truth, human responsibility, and eternal destiny. That this deplorable situation has come about in this country is due primarily to corrupting elements which have invaded both Christianity and Islam!

In the purest forms of doctrine as based on Christianity's Bible and Islam's Koran there is no possible reconciliation except when one side completely abandons the basics of its faith for the other -- that is, a Christian abandons his professed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and becomes a Muslim, professing faith in Allah as the only true god. By the same token, a Muslim abandons his faith in Allah and high regard for Muhammad as the greatest prophet and professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of his life. In both cases there is a denial that the former faith which one professed is a legitimate faith -- it is totally rejected and considered false and deceptive and the new faith which one now professes is considered to be the only true faith!

In both records (Bible and Koran) there is a clear and most radical claim that there are no alternatives to true faith -- it is all or nothing -- you either go by the exclusive salvation offered through Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form, or you go by the teachings of Muhammad the prophet and faith in Allah. But there is no compromising the two -- at least, in the teachings of the Bible and of the Koran as taken at face value to their logical conclusion!

In the Bible, God concludes His plan for His creation through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who is the final Judge, and before Whom all human beings will ultimately give an account of their lives on earth. All the wicked are judged and consigned to an eternal hell. The faithful followers of Jesus Christ are rewarded and given a place in His eternal Kingdom. There is absolutely no allowance for an Allah or a Muhammad or anything either may have said or taught!

In the same manner Islam regards Muhammad as the greatest prophet. It allows for the fact that Jesus was also a prophet but not nearly so high in standing as is Muhammad. The world is eventually purged of all infidels who have not accepted Allah, and by implication, abide by the teachings of the Koran. Jews and Christians are labeled as infidels, and at one point Muslims are admonished to not take them as friends. You don't believe that? Read the Koran my friend -- it's all there in plain black and white!

Go ahead -- take a look at The Koran, Islam's holy book. Use return feature on web browser to come back here.

So how is it that in this country many Muslims and Christians are practically becoming cozy bed fellows? Primarily because of the corrupting elements in both faiths. It is not that unusual anymore to hear of Christians denying the reality of Who Jesus really is, what His primary purpose was in coming to earth, and what His future plans are. These are:

He is God revealed in human form

He died on the cross for every human being (including practitioners of Islam) to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to Himself

He was literally resurrected from the dead 3 days after crucifixion

He ascended back to heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father and is scheduled to return to planet Earth as King of kings and Lord of lords to set up a Kingdom which will last forever!

In the same manner there are followers of Islam who are denying elements of their faith as they fail to denounce Christianity and other religions as being absolutely false, and if you don't convert and acknowledge Allah as the only true god, you are an infidel and worthy of death!

The purer form of Islam is practiced in those countries where the religion is dominant (as much as 90 percent or better) and controls the governments. Do a check as to how Christians get along in those countries and see how compatible Christianity and Islam are, and how frequently the Muslim clerics invite the minority Christians to public gatherings to discuss their faith for the purpose of enlightening the faithful Muslims.

You can get interesting insight by looking into Religious Freedom in the World -- reports for the years 1998 and 2000 are available -- be sure to look closely at the Islamic controlled countries -- Islam a "peaceful" religion? Yea, when they are in control and practically everyone is a Muslim -- but woe to Christians and Jews who live in those countries!

What is the approach Christians should take on this issue? Our faith is to be expressed in love, but with deep conviction that salvation, forgiveness, peace with God, and hope are possible only through Jesus Christ. It's not a matter of self-righteously telling the Muslim that he is going to hell, but rather informing him that Jesus loved him, as He did us, so much that He died for the sins of all of us on the cross. It is also a matter of demonstrating our concern and willingness to help in any way we can in order that the Muslim (or anyone else still in bondage to sin) may know forgiveness and peace through Jesus.

That is why Christianity in its purest form of expression is extremely radical and unyielding -- allowing for no possible hope outside of Jesus Christ, because it takes literally the claims of Jesus Christ which He made regarding Himself and the demands He has placed upon all humans, including every single Muslim.

If you haven't already done so, review those claims and demands at The Way - The Truth - The Life. Use the return feature on your browser to come back here.

As mentioned elsewhere on Circuit Rider's Range Osama bin Laden and others such as he are more faithful in practicing Islam than are most Muslims here in the United States. They have taken the Koran to its logical conclusion and are simply attempting to usher in the day when the world will be purged of all infidels, including Christians and Jews, and there will be only one holy book, the Koran, and only one god being worshipped whose name is Allah!

Taking a much different approach, Christianity in its purest form strives to carry out the mandate of the risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), and looks forward to His glorious appearing as King of kings and Lord of lords. The nature of the mandate is an approach of love and peace, never attempting to force anyone to repent and believe on Jesus Christ -- it is simply throwing the "ball" (message of Jesus Christ) into their court, and the choice is strictly up to them to accept or reject. The world being what it is at the present time, sometimes the response is positive and other times violent hostility!

For further reference read Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 2 and 3; Jude; and the entire book of Revelation. The final 3 chapters of Revelation are really exciting -- notice however, that Muhammad and Allah are conspicuously absent! Enjoy!

Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
and presently serving as pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy PA

For comments, questions, or just plain old axe grinding, contact C. D. Harriger by clicking on Penelope, efficient mail hostess of CR's Range, and she will bring up the pre-addressed email form for you to fill out and send.